Stylus-actuating mechanism



Jan. 6, 1931. c. J. EVERETT 1, 3

STYLUS ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 16, 1924 INVENTOR W, Q ATToRN Ys Patented Ja n- .6, 1 31' Q r I 1 I r 1 738 153 UNITED STATES tarantorrwn i i 9 CHARLES or Tnnermr, JERISVEJY I i i srYtUs-no'rUATING MECHANISM... I

Application. filed February is, 1924. Serial 693,378, I

The invention relates toa stylusor. needle discloses a preferred embodiment thereof. used for perforating or puncturing a record finch embodiment, however, is to be considsheet to indicate by a curve made up by the cred merely asv illustrative of its principles. perforations, the condition at different times in the drawings: A r

of the apparatusin connection with which Fig. 1 IS a plan View, partly in section of a the recordsheet is used. For example,in my recording mechanism constructed in accordprior co-pending application Serial N o. ance with the invention. This figure is taken 539,382,'filed February 27th, 1922, entitled on line 1-91 of Fig. 2, looking in the direc- Recording mechanism for vehicles, I have detion of the arrows. I

scribed at length a recording mechanism Fig. '2 is a side elevation of the recording adapted to be installed upon motor vehicles mechanism looking from the left of Fig. 1, 60 for the purpose of giving information as to being a section taken upon the lines 2-2 of how long the vehicle remained idle after Figs. 1 and 3, looking in the direction of the i being taken out by the driver, the periods of arrows. I

time over which it was idle, the distance Fig; 3 is a front elevation of the mechanism traveled and the speed'at which the vehicle as the latterapp'ears in F igQ 1'. was operated. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary end View looking The present invention relatesmore parfrom the right ofF ig. 1. I y ticularly to the mechanism which actuates Fig; 5 is a diagrammatic detail view showthe stylus in similar'recording mechanisms, in'g theshape of a cam forming an element and has for an object to provide such a mechof the particuluar embodiment of the invenanism which will insure that the stylus is tion whichis illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4. advanced to perforate the record sheet'prop- Q As the present invention is concerned more erly on each stroke, and positively withdrawn particularly with the stylus actuating mechae to retracted position-after each perforation, nism of a recording.apparatus, the apparatus 75v 7 thus insuringthat the stylus will not stick in a Whole'is not described or illustrated .in i the record sheet, or fail to punch properly, detailherein, but may be considered as "any when in use. suitable type, for example, as shown in my The invention also aims to provide an acco-pendingapplication abovereferred to, and tuatin'g mechanism of the above nature which embodying a record sheet which is moved so will insure that the stylus is not left in alby a clockwork (not'illnstrated) over a plate 'vanced or partially withdrawn position when or t bl 1 t b f rat d by the stylus, and the apparatus with Which itis used, 0 111 to provided with a power spindle 2 (shown at rest. Thus if the record sheet is continuously the right of Figs. 1 and for driving the driven by a clockwork, for eXample,.the styt l ct ati g ha is lus IIGVGI be left stationary in EL The stylus 0 needle 3 n' ay be in W ch it Would Catch in the record Sheet 7 slidablv supported in a sleeve 4, the latter in Another object is to provide an actua g the present instance being carried by an arm mechanism of the above nature which will 5 hj h i i t d t t 6 (Figg 1 d 2) function properly upon reversals in mOtlOll' in such manner that, as the mechanism moves, 99 of the apparatus to Wh ch t is Collnectedthe needle 3 travels back and forth under- F01 OXELTDPlG, ifthe l'GCOI' Cl sheet is to'furnish 119511111 & 310i 2) in plate L thug heinodata as to the mov f Of a motor Yellicle, presented to different portions of the record the stylus will function properly while the h t A Shown, th arm 5 i moved b k Vehicle is b6 g bilckedi and forth as aforesaid, by means of a cam 8, Furtherob ectS and advantages of the 111- i t hi -h wrong 9 on th arm 5 i 1 16 vention will be in part obvious and in part by a spring 10 1) the cam 8 being carspecifically pointed out in the description ried a vertical spindle 11 having aworm hereinafter contained, which, taken in congear 12 driven by a. worm 13 on a transverse nection with the accompanying drawings, shaft 14, which latter carries a gear 15 snita- 1o 1, azndperforate the record sheet. The mo- 1 tionof the shaft during the period in which it advances the stylus.

' a cam mem a bearing member or rplate 19 shown; as :piv- I oted to spindle 14labove described. stop 21 (Fig. 2) is provided upon plate 19 to en-- draw the latter back with the plate.

I prefer to actuate the stylus v )ositive ly,so tospeak, by parts having sufficient power and definite path of. motion to make the st liable in its perforating operation. In the present embodiment, the stylus is actuated by 7 berf22 (Figs. =2and 8) mounted upon a spindle 23 andladapted to strike apart 24 (Fig.3) on the under side of plate 19,-and thus projectthe stylus through slot '7 in plate '23 preferably is accelerated As shown, tension spring 25 is connected 26, 111 such manner that during about onehalf a revolution of shaft23, the spring 25 is stretched to a point of dead centre on the far "s'ideof shaft 23, after which the spring turns the shaft and cam-member 22 through the remainder of its revolutionwith an accelerated motion, and cam -2 2 strikes part 24 during this accelerated motion to advance the stylus a definite distancein stroke. In the present instance the shaft 23 is turned through its first half. revolution above-mentioned by meansof a pin 27 (Fig. 1) on gear 17 which engages behind a pin 28 on a; hub 29 fixed to spindle 23. Thus as gear 17 turns. the spindle 23-and cam member ;'22 are rotated relatively slowly, but as spring 25 passes dead centre, the motionis accelerated through the. remainder of its revolution, after which pin 27 again engages pin 28.

The stylus 3 according to the present invention is positively withdrawn from advanced or perforating position by means of a moving part having a definite path of motion and engaging the stylus during at least a portion of its cycle of motion, to withdraw the latter; thus so long as thismotion is con tinued, the stylus will be withdrawn a. definite distance after each perforating stroke. Preferably the motion of the part above mentioned, which withdraws the stylus, is derived from an independent source of energy such a spring, in order that the withdrawal of the stylus shall not be dependentupon the continued motio nof the apparatus in connection with which the stylus is used.

In the present instance the stylus 3 is withdrawn froniadvanc ed position by means of above the head 18 on the stylus and ylus rcbetween cam'm'ember 22 and a post" its perforating a cam member 30adjacent cam 22 above described, and also carried by spindle 23, the cam member 30 rotating within a yoke 31 carried by plate 19. As will be noted from Figs. 2 and 5 cam member 00 bears against the yoke 31'just after the perforatingstroke of the stylus has been completed so [as to positively withdraw the stylus a definite distance from the record sheet; At this time the shaft 23 and cams 22 and 30 earriedthereby are being turned with'an accelerated motion by spring 25 which has been previously stretched to dead center as above described; that is to say, the first part ofthe accelerated motion of shaft 23 as brought about by spring causes cam to advance the stylus. and then as such motion continues. the cam 30 ens: s

yoke 31-and withdraws the stylusa definite distance fromthe record sheet. Stop 20-may be provided to engage yoke 31and prevent the latter from dropping down farther than is necessary, while the spring 25 is being tensioned. r 7

Thus the stylus is-positively withdrawn a definite distance with a rapid motion so as not to stick in the record sheet, and even though the power spindle 2 stops moving after the stylus 3 has started to advance, the stylus will be moved to fully withdrawn position by spring 25 and there will be no danger of leaving the stylus in advanced position when its associated parts come to rest. In certain instances .as where the record sheet is driven continuously by a clockwork, the stylus otherwise might come to rest in aposition penetrating the recordsheet so as to tear the latter.

stroke. If a spring were employed in connection with the stylus 3, and compressed during the advancing stroke so as to retract the stylus by the recoilof the spring, the latter would have to be made relatively weak so as not to detract too much from the force of the perforating stroke, and would be correspondingly weak and uncertain in its action ofv withdrawing the stylus by recoil.

I prefer to employ in connection with the stylus actuating mechanism, devices for driving the latter in the same direction, even though the motion of the driving shaft 2 or the apparatus to which it is connected, may be reversed. In the present instance, a pair of ratchet wheels 32 and 33 are fixedly mounted upon shaft 2 and between these V ratchet wheels pair of gears 34' and 35.,are

loosely mounted on said shaft, and provided with oppositely directed ratched members 36 and 37 respectively engaging gears 34 and 35. I I

Gear 35 directly'engages a gean38 fixed to spindle. 160/. above described, so that if power shaft 2 is turned in" one direction, ratchet37 will engage wheel 33 and shaft 16a will be rotated through gears 35, and 38. Butif shaft 2 should rotate in the opposite direction, ratchet will engage,

ratchet wheel 32, and 1 gear 3 lwill turn an idler gear 39 interposed between the latter and a further gear40 on spindle 16a, thus driving the latter in. the same direction as before. It will be understood that the particular location of the reversing devices above-mentioned, is not essential.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been described, it Willbe obvious that many changes will be made therein without departing from its principles, as defined in the following claims:

I claim l. A mechanism for punching record sheets and the like, comprising a reciprocatory stylus adapted to perforate the sheets, and means for withdrawing said stylus from ad vanced position comprising a member having a positive driving mechanism associated therewith insuring a definite path of travel therefor, said member being engageable with a part moving with the stylus to 'retract the same during a portion of the cycle of movement of said member independently of'the said driving mechanism. 3

2. In combination, a reciprocatory stylus, and means for withdrawing said stylus from advanced position comprising a member having a positive driving mechanism associated therewith insuring a definite path of travel therefor, said member being engageable with a part moving with the stylus to retract the same during a portion of the cycle of movement of said member, said member being moved by a spring through the above mentioned portion of its cycle.

3. In combination,a reciprocatory stylus, and means for withdrawing said stylus from advanced position comprising a member having a positive driving mechanism associated therewith insuring a definite path of travel therefor, said member being engageable with a part moving withthe stylus to retract the same during a portion of the cycle of movement of said member, said member being moved by a spring through the above mentioned portion of its cycle, and being moved through a remaining portion of its cycle against the action of the spring to store up energy in the latter.

4. Incombination, a reciprocatory stylus, and means for withdrawing said stylus from advanced position comprising a rotary cam member adapted to strikesaid bearing memto withdraw the stylus, said driving means member, engageable with a part movingwith it retracts the stylus.

' 5. In-combination, a reciprocatory stylus, cam means movablethrough a definitepath of travel and-adaptedto engage parts moving withithe stylus to advance and retract the latter, mcchanism for moving said cam means through apart of its cycle against the action of a; spring to store up energy in the latter, wherebythe spring will move said cam means through a remaining portion of its cycle to advance and Withdraw the stylus witheaccelerated motion. V I

6- A mechanism for punching record-sheets and the like, comprising a reciprocatory stylusadapted to perforate the sheetsand means for withdrawing the stylus from advanced position, comprising a spring which urges the stylus toward retracted position only after the advancing stroke has been completed. V

7. In combinatioma reciprocatory stylus, abe'aring member engaging said stylus, a cam ber to advance the stylus, driving means for saidcam member, asecond cam member also engaging sald bearing member, and adapted turning said cam members through aportion of'their rangeof movement, and a spring connected to said cam members and stretched during the above mentioned portion oftheir cycle of movement, said spring acting to ac celerate the cam members'to advance and withdraw the stylus during a remaining p015 tion of their range of movement.

8. The combination set forth in claim 7, wherein said last-mentioned cam member engages a yoke connected .tosaid bearing 7 member. v

9. In combination, a stylus-actuating mechanism, 'a driving shaft therefor, and means for driving said mechanism always in the same direction upon reversal of the direction of rotation of said driving shaft, said last-mentioned means comprising alternative sets of gears interposed between said mechanism and said driving'shaft, with means depending upon the direction of rotation of said driving shaft for selectively coupling said sets of gears thereto.

10. A device of the character described, comprising a reciprocatory stylus, means for withdrawing said stylus from advanced position comprisinga member having a positive driving mechanism associated therewith insuring a definite path of travel therefor, and yielding cam meansengageable with a part said member.

nioving Iwith the stylus to retract the same during a portion of the cycle of movement of f 11. A deviceior the character described; oomprislng a stylus, means for p votally 111OL111tiIlg'Sk1idstylus so-that its point; may move in an ar'cuate path, astylus actuating 'inechanism; a driving shaft for the niecha nisin, and means for driving said mechanism' alwaysin the same direction upon reversalof the direction of rotation of said driving shaft- In testimony that I claim the foregoing,I

V "have hereunto set my hand: this 27th day of December, 1923. I r I Y r r i CHAR-LES J. EVERETT. 

